Free Night of the Condor by Sara Craven Page A

Martinez?'
    'No.' The butt of the cheroot went whirling into the fire.
    She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue. 'But you must at least have been—in love at some time.'
    He looked into the flames, the expression on his face enigmatic. 'Or what passes for it,' he agreed laconically.
    I bet, she thought with sudden savagery, remembering again, in spite of herself, the cynical expertise of his caresses.
    'Is that enough? Don't you ever find yourself wishing for more?'
    'Wishing for what one can't have is a singularly fruitless occupation,' he said sardonically. 'Or haven't you noticed?'
    She decided to ignore that last question. 'I wouldn't have thought there was much beyond your reach, Doctor Martinez. Or do you consider yourself married to your work?'
    'Hardly, but it isn't a life for a woman to share.'
    'The—right woman might think there were sufficient compensations.'
    'I doubt it,' he said coolly. 'But I'm flattered that you take such a close interest in my personal affairs, even if it is an unnecessary one.'
    'We've been thrown together.' Leigh looked at him through her lashes. 'I think under the circumstances, I can be forgiven a little—feminine curiosity about the man I'm alone with.'
    'Then contain your curiosity, Miss Frazier. Believe me, it's much safer that way.'
    'Is safety really all that counts?' The words, the tone in which they were uttered, the curve of her body as she leaned towards him were all deliberate provocation. And his own slight, unguarded movement showed quite plainly that despite his aloof front, he was far from immune.
    'In this situation, I'd say so.' His voice was short, and Leigh had to control a satisfied smile.
    She had succeeded in getting to him a little, and there was victory in that, even if she hadn't guaranteed him the sleepless night she had originally intended. But you couldn't have everything, she thought, stretching again, letting her hands slide over the rounded line of her hips.
    'Well, it's been quite a day,' she said with a little sigh. 'Unless there's anything you want me to do, I think I'll turn in.'
    'The tent's ready for you.' He tossed some more wood on the fire, not looking at her. 'And we have an early start in the morning.'
    Leigh got gracefully to her feet, smothering a wince as. she put weight on her blistered sole. 'Are you sure you have everything you need?' She lifted her hands and raked her tawny hair back from her face. He didn't reply, and after a pause, she went on, 'Then I wish you pleasant dreams—Rourke.'
    She was at the tent, when his voice followed her tersely. 'And keep the flap fastened once you're in there, unless you want to be eaten alive by insects.'
    As presumably he was going to be, on the hard ground by the fire, Leigh thought, as she obeyed his instructions.
    The tent was not a great deal larger than the one she had left on the
puna
, and stiflingly hot. He had spread out a sleeping-bag, which was chivalrous of him, she supposed, but there was no way she was going to climb inside it. It was far too warm for that.
    By the light of the small lamp fixed to the ridge pole, she removed her boots and examined her feet with a certain amount of concern. Both were blistered, but with luck they would stand up to another day's walk, or at least she hoped so. She had brought some antiseptic ointment and plasters with her, but they had been stolen with the rest of her supplies, and she wasn't going to ask Rourke Martinez for assistance, and give him another excuse for trying to leave her behind.
    Her father's instructions must be weighing heavily on him at the moment, she thought, smiling, as she took off her shirt and wriggled out of the close-fitting jeans. She rolled her clothes into a bundle and tossed them to the back of the tent, before stretching out on top of the sleeping-bag. It wasn't luxury, but it was better than she could have hoped. In spite of her brave words the previous day, she hadn't relished the idea of such enforced